Open Bible, Book of Matthew

Our Beliefs

Our name FAITH means that we are saved from our sin and misery to enjoy fellowship with God only by trusting Jesus Christ, God’s son, as our Savior and Lord [Acts 16:31]

Our name UNITED means that we want to live out the unity that we have in Christ. Our congregation is a member of the United Reformed Churches in North America, a body of churches who stand on the truth of the Bible as it is summarized in our three confessions: The Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort.

Our name REFORMED means that we are extremely grateful for the 16th century Protestant Reformation which led to a recommitment to the Bible as the ultimate authority. We unashamedly confess that truth that was rediscovered in the Bible at the time of the Reformation – most importantly, that God alone saves sinners by His sovereign grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 states this truth very clearly and simply: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (NIV)

Our name CHURCH means that we are those whom Christ has called out of the world and joined together to worship and serve Him. We recognize Jesus Christ as the sovereign Lord and Head of His church. Therefore, we strive to follow what His Word, the Bible, says about every aspect of our belief and practice.

There are three formal creeds that we as a Reformed church and most true Christians throughout all ages recognize and teach. They summarize many basic Biblical doctrines. They are:

The Apostles Creed  |  The Nicene Creed   |  The Athanasian Creed


We also hold to three more detailed summaries of the Bible that were written in the Reformation era of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Heidelberg Catechism  |  Belgic Confession   |  Canons of Dort


The Solas of the Reformation

We believe that that the majesty of the Lord God is supreme! He is sovereign over all things, including salvation. This truth was summarized from various angles in the “Solas” or “Alone” cries of the 16th century Protestant Reformation:

1. Scripture Alone!

We believe that the sixty-six books of the Christian Bible are God’s own holy Word, inerrant and infallible, the only ultimate authority for faith and life. These Scriptures reveal the Triune God of Scripture, the sin and misery of mankind, and the only way to be restored to God’s favor. We gladly submit ourselves to the one, true God as He speaks perfectly in His holy and sufficient Word, confessing that no thoughts, decisions, or writings of men are of equal value. (Psalm 19:7-9; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21)

2. Christ Alone!

We confess that all people are sinners who have violated God’s law and come under God’s just and eternal judgment. Because God is a perfectly righteous and holy Judge, sin requires eternal separation from God in hell. The only way to escape God’s eternal wrath is to be reconciled to God through the Mediator and Savior He has provided—the Lord Jesus Christ. This Savior is God’s eternal Son (true God) who has assumed our human nature (true man). His perfect obedience to God’s law, and His death on the cross to pay sin’s penalty, provide His people with the righteousness and forgiveness of sins necessary to be accepted by God and to receive eternal life. Jesus Himself proclaimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5)

3. Grace Alone!

We believe that salvation is only by grace (undeserved mercy towards undeserving sinners), and not by any merit or worth on the part of the sinner. Salvation is a gift of God, obtained through the perfect work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot find acceptance in God’s eyes based on anything we have done or have not done. We are saved by grace alone. (Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:4-7)

4. Faith Alone!

Although all people are conceived and born in sin, subject to God’s wrath, not all people are saved. Only those who are united to Jesus Christ by a true faith are delivered from God’s condemnation and declared righteous in His sight. Faith alone is the instrument by which sinners become partakers of Christ and all His benefits. And true faith is not only a knowledge and agreement with what God has revealed in His Word, it is also a personal trust in the saving promises of that Word. Even this faith is not man-made, but is a gift of the Lord, who graciously shows us our sin and gives to us a new heart to repent and believe. (Habakkuk 2:4; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8)

5. Glory to God Alone!

All glory is due to God alone for He alone performs the work of saving sinners. He provided the Savior, He brought us to faith, He preserves and protects our faith while we live on earth, and He will glorify us after this life to live eternally with Him. From beginning to end, salvation is the work of the Triune God. Even the process of sanctification, by which we strive to grow in holiness after the pattern of Christ, is the work of God the Holy Spirit who works in us. Hence, the cry of our hearts: “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory!” (Psalm 115:1; Ephesians 3:20,21)

If you would like more information regarding our ministry or beliefs, please contact us!

"Without the gospel everything is useless and vain; without the gospel we are not Christians; without the gospel all riches is poverty, all wisdom folly before God; strength is weakness, and all the justice of man is under the condemnation of God.

But by the knowledge of the gospel we are made children of God, brothers of Jesus Christ, fellow townsmen with the saints, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, heirs of God with Jesus Christ, by whom the poor are made rich, the weak strong, the fools wise, the sinner justified, the desolate comforted, the doubting sure, and slaves free. It is the power of God for the salvation of all those who believe …" John Calvin

 

Address

130 West Corning Road, Beecher, IL 60401

Mailing Address

PO Box 729, Beecher, IL 60401

Phone

708.946.3210

Sunday Worship Services

Worship: 9:30am and 5:00pm
Sunday School & Catechism Classes at 11:00am

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